Traditional classrooms are based on a synchronous learning platform, in which students all learn the same material together, all at once. Traditional education has laid its grounds on this same foundation for centuries. For the most part, this style of education has worked for our young learning generation. However, as college becomes increasingly expensive and as students from all ages become busier with work, time restraints, and even children, this traditional classroom has proven to be inadequate. Instead, more and more college students have looked towards virtual classrooms for their higher education. However, being that online education platforms are for asynchronous learning, there are many questions as to how this very different style of learning works. According to several studies by Virtual Classroom, there are several proven advantages of a non-traditional classroom, and students have proven to be satisfied.
Learning when convenient for you
One of the obvious advantages of asynchronous learning is that the classroom is built around a student’s schedule. Students who have busy schedules, whether it be working full-time, or having to raise a family, have the ability to learn when it is convenient for them. Time conflictions are no longer a barrier for student’s learning. In addition, students who have physical barriers towards getting to their schools may no longer have to worry. It is common for students to seize their education simply because they can not get to the institutions where lectures are held. Whether is be lack of motor transportation, or if an institution simply doesn’t exist in their area, there are several reasons why students might need a quality institution that operates virtually.
Learn at your own pace
Learning at one’s pace is one of the most underrated educational tools that significantly has an impact on a student’s success. Students who learn at faster paces often get held back by a slow classroom, and may become bored with the course. Students who learn through slower, methodical learning may become overwhelmed by the pace of a traditional classroom, and may become discouraged. When students have the freedom to move at their own pace, however, they are more likely to succeed without the pressures of a fast classroom, or the boredom of a slow classroom. Virtual classrooms allow for this freedom of pace. Even further, students are still motivated to keep up with the class through several virtual classroom features. First, students have easier-than-ever communication with their professors. E-mails directly notify teachers with any questions or concerns a student can have, and professors can easily keep in contact to ensure students are caught up. In addition, students are able to engage in synchronous, collaborative learning when necessary through virtual study groups. iQ technologies, for example, allows for easy video conferencing for students to engage in study groups. Technology has never made it simpler for students who need collaboration from where they are.
Students are Benefiting
According to the Virtual Classroom study, nearly 71% of virtual classroom users felt it provides better access to professors, and only 16% of all users stated that they did not feel active in taking part of the course. In addition, 55% of surveyed students felt “more motivated to be diligent in their assignments”.
Virtual Classroom made the additional comments about what they have found from their study:
• Mastery of course material in the Virtual Classroom is equal or superior to that in the traditional classroom.
• Virtual Classroom students report higher subjective satisfaction with the Virtual Classroom than with the traditional classroom on a number of dimensions, including access to their professors and overall quality of the educational experience.
• Students perceive the experience as “group learning” rather than individual learning. The more they perceive collaborative learning as taking place, the more likely they are to judge the outcomes of the Virtual Classroom as superior to those of the traditional classroom.
• Mastery of course material in the Virtual Classroom is equal or superior to that in the traditional classroom.
• Virtual Classroom students report higher subjective satisfaction with the Virtual Classroom than with the traditional classroom on a number of dimensions, including access to their professors and overall quality of the educational experience.
• Students perceive the experience as “group learning” rather than individual learning. The more they perceive collaborative learning as taking place, the more likely they are to judge the outcomes of the Virtual Classroom as superior to those of the traditional classroom.
iQ technologies has created it’s very own virtual learning program, with the use of the most recent technology to progress student learning. iQ’s platform has become the most competent form of education technology, with the interests of their student’s always first in mind.
Learn more about the study here:
Wellman, Barry. “Asynchronous Learning Networks.” SpringerReference(n.d.): n. pag. Web.